Intelligent grid communications network management systems and methods

Abstract

A system for communication network management of a utility grid includes a database configured to store a grid information data set, where the grid information data set includes network device information for the utility grid and a network management system executable by a processor to: receive an event message from one or more network devices indicative of one or more failures in a communication network of the utility grid; retrieve the grid information data set; identify one or more network device associated with the one or more failures based on the grid information data set; transmit a request for a response to the identified one or more network devices; determine a response pattern based on responses from the identified one or more network devices in order to identify a cause of the failure based on the response pattern.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a system and method for managing communication networks, and more particularly to a system and method for managing communication network issues in an intelligent utility grid system.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] As utilities deploy and operate smart grids, they face the prospect of making substantial investments in new technologies and devices without certainty regarding the levels of return and business benefits. However, a well-informed and closely-targeted application of analytics is beneficial to the financial and operational success of smart grid deployments.

[0005] For utilities implementing smart grids, the prime opportunity presented by analytics is to make smarter, faster decisions based on timely and accurate interpretation of smart grid data. Once utilities implement a smart grid, they will immediately face a deluge of grid data generated by a vast array of sensors and devices. The resulti...

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